Würth Team denies new sponsorship agreement with Kazajan Oil

By Antonio J. Salmerón At the start of today's opening stage of the Euskal Bizikleta in Spain, Würth...

Begins Euskal Bizikleta minus Sanchez

By Antonio J. Salmerón

At the start of today's opening stage of the Euskal Bizikleta in Spain, Würth rider Luis León Sanchez did not join his teammates in Eibar. Instead, the team was comprised of Joseba Beloki, David Etxebarria, Aaron Kemps, Aitor Osa, José Antonio Redondo, Carlos Abellán, Assan Bazayev and Angel Vicioso, who were wearing white-painted gear with Würth logos on their clothing.

Press officer Jacinto Vidarte denied speculation that team manager Manolo Sáiz had reached an agreement with a company known as Kazajan Oil, but did confirm negotiations were taking place: "We are working on this, but there is nothing concrete," he said.

Likewise, Vidarte denied any truth behind now sole sponsor Würth issuing Sáiz an ultimatum if the team were left out of the ProTour as a consequence of 'Operation Puerto': "It was a supposition more than a reality, because we have not [had] any warning in this sense."